Intrinsic religiosity correlates with appearing unprejudiced rather than being tolerant

Evidence

Rather than the personal transformation toward tolerance that Allport assumed was associated with intrinsic religion, higher scores on the Intrinsic scale appear to be associated with an increased desire to look unprejudiced – or to look prejudiced only toward the right people and groups. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2559 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Batson et al. (1993) reviewed 41 findings obtained across 32 different studies between 1949 and 1990 of individuals from Christian backgrounds (mostly US samples). About one-third of these studies used some form of questionnaire or interview data to make the distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic religion. In each, those who were classified as intrinsic scored lower on prejudice than those classified as extrinsic. Two-thirds of the studies used level of religious activity to make the distinction. Again, in the overwhelming majority those who were highly involved in religious activities scored lower on prejudice than those who were only moderately involved. Across these 32 studies, prejudice of several types was assessed: racial and ethnic prejudice, anti-Semitism, social distance, and ethnocentrism. Extrinsic religion (or moderate religious activity) was associated with higher prejudice on all forms, whereas intrinsic religion (or high religious activity) was associated with relatively low prejudice. It is hard to imagine stronger support for Allport’s claims. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2539 (#contradicts, via linked claim)

We suspect that Allport might be more surprised and troubled by what the use of less reactive measures has revealed about the relation between his Intrinsic scale and prejudice. It now seems that the relationship between higher scores on the Intrinsic scale and lower scores on measures of prejudice and ethnocentrism that he stated with such confidence during the 1960s applies only to reactive, overt measures of prejudices proscribed by one’s religious community. When assessing prejudices not clearly proscribed or when using more covert measures, scores on the Intrinsic scale are more likely to be positively correlated with prejudice. Rather than the personal transformation toward tolerance that Allport assumed was associated with intrinsic religion, higher scores on the Intrinsic scale appear to be associated with an increased desire to look unprejudiced – or to look prejudiced only toward the right people and groups. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2559 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim
• XREF: connects to: Religiosity correlates with inclusive attitudes despite reinforcing its own boundaries — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 372; Religiosity branches into conformity-based and benevolence-based motive clusters with distinct social effects. — Deborah L. Hall and David C. Matz and Wendy Wood, Why Don’t We Practice What We Preach? A…, 8; Self-reported religious conviction diverges from measured racial tolerance — Deborah L. Hall and David C. Matz and Wendy Wood, Why Don’t We Practice What We Preach? A…, 77 (+11 more)

Broader Connections

• Intrinsic religiosity drives reputation management rather than genuine tolerance #corroborates (0.95) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2559
• Intrinsic religiosity tracks tolerance only on overt, community-proscribed measures #expands (0.92) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2559
• Intrinsic religion robustly predicts lower prejudice across 32 studies of religious activity #contradicts (0.92) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2539
• Quest-scale religiosity correlates negatively with prejudice even covertly measured #complicates (0.78) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2560